Pixel Vs. Fraxel Repair - What's the Difference?

Doctor Answers (1)

Differences Between Fraxel re:pair and Pixel

January 20th, 2009

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Hi Lolalab,

Fraxel repair is a fractionated CO2 laser that is along with Total FX the gold standard of fractionated CO2 laser treatments. Fraxel re:pair penetrates the skin deeply between 300 up to 1600 microns (0.3 to 1.6mm).

Pixel has both a very superficial treatment erbium laser that penetrates 20 to 50 microns as well as a new CO2 laser. Fraxel re:pair and Pixel CO2 can be compared; the superficial Pixel is such a light treatment that there is no comparison in results.

The Fraxel re:pair delivery is the only laser with a patented "roller paint brush" approach. This allows for the most uniform and rapid application of the laser. The wavelength is 10,600 nm, the spot size is less than 140 microns, the density varies from 5% to 70%, the energy varies from 5 mj to 70 mg, the depth is up to 1600 microns, the pulse duration is 0.15 to 3 ms, the maximum coverage rate is 1200 sq. mm/sec, and there is an integrated smoke evacuation system.

The Pixel CO2 laser, like all other fractionated CO2 lasers other than re:pair, has a "stamping" delivery, works at 2940 nm wavelength, has a spot size of 250 microns, is delivered at a 20% density only, it's energy and depth numbers are not available, the pulse duration is 50-300 ms, the maximum coverage is 98 sq mm/sec, and it has no built in smoke evacuation system.

Fraxel re:pair has the most published peer reviewed articles in medical/scientific journals among all of the other fractionated laser systems.

Fraxel Repair Pictures

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